Team 5's waiting trip to Polyfest.

2017 POLY FEST

• What is polyfest?

Firstly polyfest is another word for Polynesian festival. The Asb Polyfest is the largest Maori and pacific island cultural festival of it’s kind in the world. The Asb Polyfest features traditional music, dance, costume and speech and is now recognised as an important showcase of New Zealand’s diverse culture and a celebration of youth performances. Asb polyfest first started in 1976.

• Activities and stages?

Students will compete on five stages, performing traditional items from the following cultures - Cook Islands, Maori, Niuean, Samoan, Tongan. There was a diversity stage featuring performances from a range of cultural groups including Fijian, Tokelau, Chinese, Korean. There also was activities, like when there’s a kitchen fire you can not put water in or on it because it would make it bigger. There are 2 ways you can put fire out. 1) Wet a piece of cloth then just throw it on top of the fire. 2) put salt into the pot.

• My favourite Part of the day?

When we went to watch the Diversity stage. Their movements were sharp and pretty fast. They were incredible. Also it was cool walking around with a group I like to call the best group.

• Something I learned?

I learned that Polyfest is about having pride, confidence and knowledge into your culture. Overall all the stages and activities we went to was fun, amazing, interesting. That was my second time going Polyfest but first time going with schools.